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I’ve tweeted before to alert Wapping residents to a proposal by TfL to re-route the D3 bus so that it no longer serves the Isle of Dogs but cuts across Canary Wharf to Blackwall.

The consultation on this runs to 20th March and I have been asked to comment formally by the council. I paste my consultation response below in case anyone wishes to make similar points. The details of the proposal and how to respond to it can be found here – https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/isle_of_dogs

RE: Bus Service Proposals affecting Isle of Dogs and connections to the rest of the borough

Dear…….,

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to comment on the bus service proposals.

Naturally they have caused concern in my own ward of St Katharine’s and Wapping since the D3 is one of only two single-deck buses to serve the area, the other being the 100. The D3 provides an important and much-valued service to Wapping residents, linking those who have jobs, friends and family members on the Isle of Dogs to that area. The proposal to link instead to the Town Hall has the merit of connecting Wapping residents to Mulberry Place but this is of minor importance when taking into account the loss of much more important routes onto the island.

One of the most useful aspects of the existing service is that it terminates at Asda. Asda is a low cost supermarket and one of the few local large stores to contain a lot of the kinds of items that are difficult to carry back to homes – low cost homeware, cheaper bulk buys, good value fruit and veg, large bags of rice and other heavy items. It is easier for many residents to take such items on that local bus service back to Wapping than carry it all on the DLR from Crossharbour to Shadwell. Whitechapel Sainsbury’s is not a good alternative as the D3 does not stop directly outside it.

The D3 also takes Wapping residents to the sports fields near Island Gardens, I of D schools and Mudchute City Farm. I know it would be a terrible loss for residents if the existing route was discontinued and I should be very grateful if these concerns could be submitted as part of LBTH’s representations to TfL.